Alex Mac Allister won it for Liverpool in stoppage time, after a poor display against Nottingham Forest.
## Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool
Premier League (27) | City Ground
February 22, 2026
Goal
Mac Allister 90+7′
Stats
Possession: 47% – 53%
Shots: 18 – 10
Big Chances: 1 – 3
Expected Goals: 1.26 – 1.76
Two changes – Wirtz injured in warm up
With Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike restored, it was two changes from the FA Cup last week, but Florian Wirtz‘s last-minute withdrawal made it the German and Federico Chiesa dropping out.
Curtis Jones was originally due to drop out but he replaced Wirtz in midfield in the late change.
A sluggish, slow and sloppy first half
Liverpool’s slow starts continued, with the home side – boosted by a new manager in Vítor Pereira – dominating early proceedings.
It took a trademark smothering save from Alisson inside three minutes to deny Callum Hudson-Odoi after Jones had been dispossessed.
Elliott Anderson was among those to shoot wide as Forest completely dominated the first half with 12 shots.
Liverpool were sloppy, to say the least, and couldn’t muster a shot on target or a corner. Somehow, Arne Slot‘s side escaped without conceding by the break.
The 21st time in 40 games so far this season that Liverpool failed to score in the first half.
Half time: Forest 0-0 Liverpool
Double late action for Mac Allister
Jones, who had a desperately poor first half after his late call up, moved to right back at half time, allowing Szoboszlai to influence more from midfield.
It was Jones who had the first decent chance and shot on target for the Reds, Stefan Ortega making a good save soon after the break.
But while Liverpool were improved in possession, they weren’t exactly fluid or impressive and struggled to create any clear cut chances. It was pretty uninspiring stuff.
Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa were introduced from the bench for the final quarter of an hour, with Salah and Gakpo hooked.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 22, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Salah’s wry smile and look of incredulity told the story.
The Reds thought they’d won it in the 89th minute. Ngumoha did superbly on the right, Ekitike’s header was saved, then the eventual clearance struck Mac Allister and went in. But a VAR review ruled it out for an accidental handball.
Mac Allister, did, though, get the winner deep into stoppage time, firing in from close range – a goal that was allowed after another VAR review.
After Aston Villa and Chelsea had both drawn the day before, this was a big chance to close the gap on the Champions League places. An insipid display looked like it would be squandered but Liverpool got lucky.
The Reds are now level on points with Chelsea and Man United.
TIA Man of the Match: Rio Ngumoha
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool: Match facts
Referee: Anthony Taylor
N. Forest: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Substitutes: Gunn, Yates, Jair, Morato, Dominguez, McAtee, Ndoye, Bakwa, Lucca
Liverpool: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 83′); Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah (Chiesa 77′), Jones (Gomez 83′), Gakpo (Ngumoha 77′); Ekitike
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Ramsay, Nyoni, Morrison
Next match: West Ham (H) – Premier League – Saturday, February 28, 3pm